Artistic composition including a dark blue patterned background and burnt orange yellow textured foreground with three burn like circles across diagonally

Turangalîla: Infinite Love

1927 Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra bring Messiaen’s Turangalîla: Infinite Love to Southbank Centre

Conducted by Vasily Petrenko, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform Turangalîla: Infinite Love as part of the Southbank’s Multitudes Festival, 80 years after its premiere. Turn the dial up to 11 for a performance of Messiaen’s cosmic symphony, with a film from 1927 Studios.

Imagine a huge orchestra, a world-class pianist and a vintage electronic instrument straight out of science fiction, and you’re still not even halfway to imagining Messiaen’s mind-boggling Turangalîla-Symphonie.

‘A love song, a hymn to joy, time, movement, rhythm, life and death’ was how Messiaen himself described this vast, vibrant psychedelic masterpiece.

Inspired by the golden age of silent cinema, 1927 Studios create an original film to play alongside the epic symphony. “The genius of it all was how such deliberately lighthearted and playful visuals managed to be so perfectly in tune with Messiaen’s seriously intoxicating music.” ★★★★★ The Guardian

Commissioned by the Southbank Centre and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In association with Judith Dimant Productions.

1927 Studios are Suzanne Andrade, Esme Appleton and Paul Barrit.

Thursday 23 April 2026, 7:30pm
Royal Festival Hall

Imagery from 1927 studios' Turangalila film - a man and woman face each other looking shocked
Imagery from 1927 studios’ Turangalila film. Image courtesy of 1927.
  • Imagery from 1927 studios' Turangalila film - a man and woman face each other looking shocked
    Imagery from 1927 studios’ Turangalila film. Image courtesy of 1927.
  • Woman playing a small wooden keyboard instrument (possibly a portative organ) with an orchestra. A large, dark, unusual musical apparatus sits next to her.
    The ondes Martenot, played by Cecile Lartigau. Photo by Antoine Saito.
  • Imagery from 1927 studios' Turangalila film - distortaed imagery of a man and woman's faces
    Imagery from 1927 studios’ Turangalila film. Image courtesy of 1927.
  • Conductor in a white shirt and dark jacket leading a large, seated orchestra of formally dressed musicians on a wooden stage.
    Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo by Frances Marshall.
  • A highly abstract and blurred portrait, possibly a close-up of a face, with bright pink/purple and white light emanating from the center, set against a dark, black background. It suggests movement or an ethereal effect.
    Imagery from 1927 studios’ Turangalila film. Image courtesy of 1927.

    • Creative team

    RoleName
    Conducted by Vasily Petrenko
    Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    Animation provided by1927 Studios
    Supported by Southbank Centre

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